Thousands expected at Trump rally in Pensacola

Thursday

Dec 7, 2017 at 5:02 PMDec 7, 2017 at 5:02 PM

“The president has great affection for Northwest Florida. In the time I’ve spent with him, he attributes his win in the state of Florida to the enthusiasm in our region, so I think he’s coming back to say ‘thank you.’ ”

Annie Blanks @DestinLogAnnie

PENSACOLA — As President Donald Trump plans to make his first appearance in Northwest Florida since ascending to the presidency in January, thousands of people are expected to fill the Pensacola Bay Center for his rally at 7 p.m. Friday.

Trump’s team announced the rally last weekend in an area where he enjoyed feverish support during his presidential campaign. He visited the region three times as a candidate and won Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties with upwards of 70 percent of the vote in each county. He won Escambia County with 58 percent of the vote.

Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach said he will speak at the rally along with several other local elected officials. Gaetz said he wasn’t sure what Trump would say or do, but added, “That’s part of the fun and excitement. You never know exactly what’s going to happen at a Trump rally.”

“The president has great affection for Northwest Florida,” Gaetz said. “In the time I’ve spent with him, he attributes his win in the state of Florida to the enthusiasm in our region, so I think he’s coming back to say ‘thank you.’ ”

He said he expects Trump to possibly touch on his recent tax cut legislation.

Mark Franks, executive committee member for the Republican Party of Florida and chairman of the Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee, said he will work at the event along with GOP leaders from Walton and Santa Rosa counties. He said he expects a large turnout.

“The Panhandle was crucial for a Trump victory in Florida, and the president was well aware of that fact,” Franks said. “He made several visits during the campaign with thousands turning out, and I expect the same if not more now that he is the President.”

Franks did not speculate on the purpose of the rally, but said he believed Trump is coming because “he loves this country and he has a deep appreciation for his supporters in Florida.”

Tickets for the event can still be reserved online at https://www.donaldjtrump.com/rallies/pensacola-fl-dec-2017.

Mike Wood, public information officer for the Pensacola Police Department, said in a press release that Trump’s visit would require several road closures beginning about 1 p.m. Friday. The closures include Interstate 10 southbound at Cervantes Street, Chase Street from Tarragona Street to Ninth Avenue, Gregory Street between Ninth and Tarragona, Garden Street between Tarragona and Alcaniz Street, Alcaniz at Wright Street southbound and Garden northbound, Florida Blanca Street at Chase.

Other streets could be affected depending on the final route of the motorcade, the release said. Officers will be stationed along the route to assist motorists in finding alternate routes to their destinations.

Also, no one will be allowed on the Pensacola Bay Center property between 1 and 4 p.m. People with tickets will be permitted on the property when screening begins about 4 p.m. The rally is expected to begin at 7 p.m.

Police also released a long list of items not permitted in the Bay Center, including weapons, soda cans and water bottles, produce, chemical/radiological/biological materials, coolers, aerosol containers, sticks and poles, fireworks, air horns and umbrellas.